CL1RH-Roman History: the rise and fall of the Republic

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Andrew Fox
Email: a.fox2@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Samuel Agbamu
Email: s.agbamu@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module investigates the mid- and late Republican history of Rome (2nd century BC to late first century BC), a period marked by profound socio-political changes which ultimately led to the crisis of the Republican institutions. It introduces students to the main types of evidence for ancient history and to modern methodological approaches.

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with a general knowledge and understanding of the history of the Roman Republic from the 2nd century BC to the late 1st century BC. The module aims at introducing students to the main types of evidence for ancient history and to various modern methodologies, while developing their critical understanding of Rome's Republican history.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
' demonstrate good knowledge of the history and culture of the period;?
' evaluate and contextualize a variety of selected ancient material;?
' describe and analyse key issues pertaining the history of the period examined;
' locate and assemble material on the subject of study, with guidance;?
' organise materials and present effectively written arguments.

Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to encourage the development of oral communication skills and the student's effectiveness in group situations. Students are also encouraged to develop their IT skills by use of computer resources.

Outline content:
The particular focus of the module is on the circumstances leading up to the first-century BC crisis of the Republic, using texts such as Sallust's The Conspiracy of Catiline. The course is intended to give students a thorough grounding in the political history of the Roman republic (for the period going from the 2nd century BC to the assassination of Caesar in 44 BC), both as a self-contained objective and to prepare them for the Part 2 ancient history core module on the Roman empire. Lecturescover the history of the republican period with some thematic coverage of particular topics (e.g. literary history, warfare, society).
The topics are pursued further in seminars which focus on a close examination of the text and themes of Sallust's The Conspiracy of Catiline, along side other relevant ancient material.
The course represents current thinking and research on the various subjects covered, introducing even those students with prior experience of classical studies to new areas and methods. At the same time, no specific knowledge is assumed as a prerequisite for this module.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be taught by a combination of lectures and seminars.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Seminars		6
Guided independent study:		174
Total hours by term		200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Class test administered by School	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. One essay of c.2,000 words, which must be submitted by 12 noon of the last Thursday of the Spring Term.


2. A timed Blackboard test of two hours, timetabled for Summer term.

Formative assessment methods:
Formative assessment will consist of a commentary (of c.1000 words) to set passages. This will be due on the Thursday of week 5 of the Spring term.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August.
Coursework will be resubmitted in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 21 September 2023